How To Draw Leaves Easy Step by Step Tutorial

Alexia Young 04/09/2023

2 3 minutes read

If you’ve ever found yourself absentmindedly doodling shapes of leaves or fire, then you’re not alone. It’s a common occurrence when we have a pen or pencil in hand or when we’re not fully engaged in a lecture. But when it comes to drawing beautiful leaves for your fall projects or to enhance your artwork, it’s essential to learn the proper techniques. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, this tutorial will guide you through six different types of leaves, ranging from easy to more advanced. Trust me, these step-by-step instructions will make drawing leaves a breeze!

Table of Contents

Tools You’ll Need for Leaf Drawing

Before we dive into the tutorials, let’s take a moment to gather the necessary tools for drawing leaves:

Pencil
Eraser
Marker
Colors

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Draw Leaves

Drawing leaves is surprisingly simple and doesn’t require much time or effort. Let’s explore the step-by-step process for each of the six popular leaf designs:

1. Simple Leaf Drawing for Beginners

Let’s begin with the “Dogwood Leaves” tutorial, perfect for beginners. This leaf consists of a single shape, making it easy to learn and replicate.

Start by drawing a slanted line, forming the stem of the leaf.
Draw a curve on the left side, starting from the bottom of the stem and reaching the tip.
Mirror the curve on the right side to create a symmetrical leaf shape.
Add veins to the leaf using single lines, and color it to your liking.

2. Drawing Black Walnut Leaf

The Black Walnut Leaf tutorial features a slightly more complex design but is still beginner-friendly.

Begin with a straight line as the stem of the leaf.
Draw four oval shapes on the right side of the stem and four mirror-image ovals on the left side.
Add veins to each oval shape.
Draw an additional straight line parallel to the stem to add thickness.
Color the leaf, using shades of orange for an autumn-inspired look.

3. Drawing Oak Leaf Easy

The Oak Leaf tutorial may seem challenging at first, but with the step-by-step instructions, even beginners can master it.

Start by drawing a straight line for the stem.
Form a V shape on both sides of the stem to represent the veins.
Create curved lines that intertwine around the veins, forming the outer shape of the leaf.
Add additional branches and details to enhance the leaf’s realism.
Outline the leaf using a marker, erasing any unnecessary pencil marks.
Color the leaf, highlighting the veins with deep orange or red shades.

4. Draw Monstera Leaf/Tropical Leaf

The Monstera Leaf, also known as the Tropical Leaf, is a favorite due to its unique patterns and characteristic leaf holes.

Draw a heart-like shape and divide it into two equal parts with a slightly curved line.
Add slanted slots inside the leaf to represent the leafy divisions.
Refine the shape and add holes and veins for a realistic appearance.
Color the leaf to bring it to life.

5. How to Draw Maple Leaf

The Maple Leaf tutorial offers a challenge for beginners but is highly rewarding. It resembles the fingers of a hand and exudes a fall aesthetic.

Begin by drawing the stem using two straight lines.
Add a short horizontal line just above the stem’s bottom side.
Form a broader V shape beneath the middle point of the stem.
Create a cap-like shape on the tip of the stem and symmetric V shapes on the sides.
Connect the lower part of the leaf to the horizontal line.
Outline the leaf using a marker and erase any unnecessary lines.
Color the leaf, emphasizing the stem, veins, and outer portions.

Final Words

I hope you’ve enjoyed this detailed tutorial on drawing leaves. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional artist, practicing these techniques will help you improve your skills. Remember, practice makes perfect! So grab your art tools and start creating stunning leaf designs. And if you’re interested in honing your drawing abilities further, explore our other tutorials on drawing a car, mountains, an orange, and Halloween-themed drawings.